Eric was first licensed in California in 1973, an had been active on and off for 50 years. He is the creator of the QSO Today Podcast and the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo.

Bill Brown, WB8ELK, has been an amateur radio enthusiast since the exploration of the edge of space began with astronaut Jordan Kittinger in Project Highman. This exploration sparked Bill’s interest in adapting amateur radio to high altitude weather balloons, and later to smaller pico balloons. Over the years, Bill has launched more than 600 high altitude balloons, which he has tracked with amateur radio beacons that he designs and fabricates for his balloon launches. As a result of his extensive experience and knowledge, Bill has become an expert in high altitude ballooning and amateur radio. He continues to be an innovator in the field, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with amateur radio and ballooning. Bill’s enthusiasm for amateur radio and ballooning has inspired many to explore the same passions.

Amateur Extra, first licensed in 1967 @ 15 years old. First balloon launch 2006. Created web site and started Near Space Ventures. AEC Platte County, ARES Author or Net Control Manager https://net-control.us

Todd McKinney is a Master's/ PhD student studying atmospheric science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He currently holds a bachelor's degree in earth systems science. Todd’s primary focus is using balloon based platforms  to answer science questions involving air quality, atmospheric transport, and severe weather dynamics. Todd has been involved in hundreds of balloon launches, including national weather service balloons, amateur latex payloads, pico balloons, ozonesondes, venting balloons, and cut down payloads. Just recently, he traveled to German Antarctic station Neumayer III to launch pico balloons and has recently published research in the Bulletin of American Meteorological Society on how pico balloons can be used for scientific research. Todd has forged strong connections with key stakeholders such as NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the national weather service, making him a valuable asset to the balloon community.

Mark Jessop, VK5QI, is the lead for the Project Horus high-altitude ballooning group, a sub-group of the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group, located in Adelaide, South Australia. Project Horus has been launching high-altitude balloons since 2010, with approximately 60 launches so far. Mark is also one of the team that runs the SondeHub-Amateur HAB tracking website, in use by many ballooning groups around the world.

Geoffrey Mark KM6TVJ, In my short 3 years as an amateur radio operator, I have discovered more hobbies within ham radio than I think I will ever be able to truly explore. I run net control once a month for my club's 2m simplex net. Getting my license during the recent solar minimum, I still managed to grab WAS on SSB, voice, 40m with 100 watts and a wire. I build my own antennas and can usually manage to solder components without permanently burning my fingertips. I love helping new hams on social media or in real life. Also a private pilot and 3d printing tinkerer. Geoff is contributing is aeronautical knowledge as FAA Licensed private pilot.